THE BILLIONAIRE'S OBSESSION

CHAPTER ONE The sharp scent of antiseptic filled the small hospital room. Alice watched the clear liquid drip slowly through the IV line into her arm, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the thin hospital sheet. Her lips parted slightly. “Can I… take nutrition instead?” she asked, her voice soft but strained. The young nurse paused, frowning as she adjusted the drip. “No, you can’t,” she replied flatly. Her eyes swept over Alice with thinly veiled disapproval. Women these days… She hadn’t even come for regular checkups, and now she was refusing proper treatment? Didn’t she care about the child at all? Alice noticed the look—but said nothing. How could she explain? How could she possibly tell a stranger that she wanted this child more than anything? That when she found out she was pregnant three weeks ago, she had cried tears of joy in Lucian’s arms? Five years. Five whole years together… and this was supposed to be their miracle. But reality was cruel. Her hand slowly moved to her still-flat stomach, her fingers trembling slightly. Lucian had been sick for five months. Five long, painful months. They had sold almost everything they owned just to keep him alive, yet it was never enough. His medicine alone drained what little money they had left. Some days… they couldn’t even afford a proper meal. So how could she bring a child into this? How could she watch her baby suffer the same way? Alice shut her eyes tightly, forcing back the sting of tears. “I’m sorry…” she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible. Whether she was apologizing to herself or the life growing inside her— Even she didn’t know. By the time she reached their small, one-room house, the sun was already beginning to set. Her steps slowed. There was a voice inside. A man’s voice. And it wasn’t Lucian’s. “…Mr. Hale, your father said that as long as you leave that woman, he will immediately arrange for the best specialist to treat you.” Alice froze. Her heart skipped. Mr… Hale? Inside, Lucian’s voice rang out—weak, yet firm. “I told you before. I will never leave the woman I love. Even if I die.” Alice’s breath caught. Her fingers tightened around the doorknob. “But, young master—please think about it!” the man continued urgently. “You are the only heir to the Hale family! The largest corporation in Newton! Yet you’re living here… in this condition…” Silence. Then— “If you don’t undergo a heart transplant within two weeks… you will die.” The world seemed to stop. Two weeks. Alice staggered back slightly, her vision blurring. “I said… get out.” Lucian’s voice this time was colder. Final. “I would rather die than leave her.” Footsteps approached. Panicked, Alice quickly moved to the side, hiding behind a nearby pillar. The door opened. A well-dressed man stepped out, his face filled with helplessness. He lingered for a moment, then sighed and walked toward a sleek black car parked nearby. Moments later, the car drove off. Leaving behind nothing but silence. Alice stood there, unmoving. Her mind… empty. So— Lucian wasn’t just an ordinary man. He was the heir to the richest family in Newton. And yet… he had given all of that up. For her. To live in poverty. To suffer. To die. Her knees nearly gave out. Tears streamed silently down her face. “What have I done…” she whispered. Her hand slowly curled into a fist. No. No, she couldn’t let this continue. If staying with her meant death for him— Then she would become the reason he chose to live. Even if it meant destroying everything they had. With a loud bang, the door flew open. Lucian flinched. He quickly turned away, wiping the blood from his lips before she could see, stuffing the stained tissue out of sight. When he turned back, a gentle smile was already on his face. “Alice… you’re back.” That smile. It pierced straight through her heart. For a moment, she couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe. But she forced herself. “Lucian… let’s break up.”“Lucian… let’s break up.” Silence fell. Not the normal kind— The kind that suffocates. Lucian didn’t move. Didn’t blink. For a moment, he simply stared at her, like his mind refused to understand the words. Then he let out a small, shaky laugh. “Alice… you must be tired,” he said gently, stepping toward her. “Come sit down, okay? I made chicken soup—you like it, right? You haven’t been eating well lately…” He reached for her hand. Alice stepped back. That single movement shattered something invisible between them. His hand froze mid-air. “Alice…?” “I said I don’t want you anymore.” Her voice was steady this time. Too steady. “We’re done. I’m tired of this relationship. I’m tired of you.” Lucian shook his head slowly, disbelief filling his eyes. “No… you don’t mean that.” He moved closer again, more urgently now, his hands cupping her face like he always did when she was upset. “Alice, tell me what happened. Did someone say something to you? Did someone hurt you? Don’t worry—I’ll fix it. I’ll get better soon, I promise. I’ll make money, we’ll leave this place—” “Leave?” she cut in, letting out a soft, mocking laugh. “Lucian, look at yourself.” His voice faltered. “You’re broke. You’re sick. You can barely take care of yourself… and you’re talking about taking care of me?” Each word was sharp. Deliberate. Cruel. “I need someone who can actually provide for me. Not someone who’s just waiting to die.” Lucian’s face went pale. “I—I can work,” he said quickly, gripping her shoulders. “I’ll go tomorrow. I’ll do anything. Just don’t leave—” “Stop it!” she snapped, shoving him away. He stumbled back, pain flashing across his face—not from the push, but from her words. “Face it, Lucian,” she said coldly. “You’re just… a burden.” The word echoed. Heavy. Final. Lucian froze. Then slowly, his eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry…” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I’m so sorry, Alice. Just… don’t go, okay? I’ll fix everything. I swear I will. Just don’t leave me…” Her vision blurred. Her heart screamed at her to stop. To take it all back. To hold him. But she couldn’t. If she stayed— He would die. So she hardened her heart. “Goodbye, Lucian.” And she turned. Each step away from him felt like tearing her soul apart. Behind her— “ALICE, PLEASE!” His voice cracked, desperate, broken. But she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. The moment the door shut behind her, Alice collapsed. Her hand flew to her mouth, muffling the sob that tore through her chest. Tears streamed endlessly down her face as her body shook violently. “I’m sorry…” she cried. “I’m so sorry…” Her hand slowly moved to her stomach. “I just want you to live."